Lactone ring containing sulfonic acid esters

Abstract

Novel sulfonic acid esters containing a lactonic ring comprising compounds in the trans form in the 4- and 5-positions having (4SR, 5RS), (4S, 5R) or (4R, 5S) configuration of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and monocyclic aryl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen and nitro and R is organic residue of an optionally chiral alcohol of the formula ROH and a process for their preparation and a process using the compounds of formula I to prepare compounds of (1RS, 4RS, 5SR), (1S, 4S, 5R) or (1R, 4R, 5S) configuration of the formula ##STR2## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and R. The compounds of V are useful for the preparation of cyclopropane carboxylic acids whose esters are known to be very active insecticides.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sulfonic acid ester containing a lactone ring in the trans form in the 4 and 5 positions having (4SR, 5RS), (4S, 5R) or (4R, 5S) configuration of the formula ##STR10## wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and phenyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen and nitro and R is selected from the group consisting of (3-phenoxyphenyl)-methyl and (1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-cyclohexyl.